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Photo courtesy of Holland Museum Archives.
    For the women of Holland, Michigan, the war effort influenced their entire lifestyle--they had to feed their children while many goods such as sugar, butter, and meat were rationed, they collected old pots and pans, tin cans, and even gum wrappers to be used in weapon manufacturing, and they made do with what they had.  Even a good portion of the wages that they earned working in the factories went back to the war effort.
    War bonds were a popular and well-publicized means of supporting the war.  A war bond was a way to create more capital for the government, to be paid back to the individual investor with interest at a later date, when the bond matured.  The maturity date was set quite a few years in the future--the war would presumably be over and the government budget would be in good enough shape to repay their lenders.  Each person was requested to contribute only what he or she could, but multiplied by the entire country, the sum was quite substantial. 
    Sena Cochran, an Fafnir Bearing employee, purchased a $500 war bond and stated that if she could sell her house, she would buy one worth $5,000.  "I can't think of a better or safer environment," she said of the American government.  Newspapers published full page advertisements for war bonds, encouraging every one to invest at least 10per cent of every paycheck.
    Women also supported the boys overseas by knitting.  There was, in fact, a national program called "Knit for Defense."  Those who were handy with yarn and a set of knitting needles were asked to knit socks, scarves, and sweaters for servicemen.  Chadwick's produced yarn in hues associated with the armed forces, so that those serving could wear them, without breaking dress code or becoming a target. 


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Photo courtesy of the Holland Museum Archives.
    This program was alive and well in the Holland area.  Mostly organized through the local Reformed Church of America and Christian Reformed Churches, the number of women that participated was staggering.   A handwritten list preserved at the Holland Museum indicates that there were over 260 women who knitted for those in the service.  Eventually, this program expanded, and the women were shipping boxes of clothing as well.